The recommendations below are to help anyone planning on travelling to the diverse city of Rio de Janeiro. The city has so much to do; from picturesque mountains, to bustling town centres and to beautiful blue ocean beaches with white sands. If you are looking for a varied holiday, Rio has a lot of offer (but it is useful to know what to do and when).
This blog has three sections on my top tips for…. where to stay, what to do/see, Where/what to eat in Rio.
Where to stay in Rio? :
- If you want to be right in the centre of the action then it’s a good idea to stay in Copacabana or Ipanema.
- If you want to stay someone a bit more old-style authentic then why not try Santa Teresa, but if you want to enjoy a BEAUTIFUL beach that isn’t full of tourists and a cleaner sea (if you love swimming in the ocean), then I would recommend Barra da Tijuca (which is around 30 minutes in a cheap Uber from Copacabana).
The traffic can be awful in Rio, so I would try to avoid rush hour at all times (or take the Metros if they are on route), OR do your city centre visits at the weekend.
Suggestions… The Santa Teresa Hotel RJ MGallery By Sofitel is a boutique hotel in Santa Teresa which is lovely ( https://www.santateresahotelrio.com/ ) , or the Grand Hyatt in Barra da Tijuca ( https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/brazil/grand-hyatt-rio-de-janeiro/riogh ) , or the Hotel Fasano in Copacobana ( http://www.fasano.com.br/hoteis/fasano-rio-de-janeiro ). Please note these are all 4/5 star hotels but there are many other that are cheaper and more affordable if you need it.
What to do/see in Rio? :
1) You must visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue whilst in Rio. From the statue you will have panoramic views across the ocean and the city! It really is a must-see. I would also recommend not driving, but instead getting the traditional tram up to the top though the mountain forests, from the Trem de Corcovado station (I think this makes it more of a fun and authentic experience).
2) A) Visit the famous Escadaria Selaron (the iconic colourful tiled steps with tiles from across the world). This is something special – situated in Lapa, this bright and vibrant attraction really does stand out in the simple town.
B) Visit the lovely old town of Santa Teresa (maybe even on the same day as the Escadaria Selaron). Here I would take a trip around the town on its cute yellow tram around, and go for a coffee and a wander around the little streets. — I would recommend visiting one of my restaurants mentioned below on your day trip here.
3) Get a cable car up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain to witness the spectacular views across Rio. For this activity, I would suggest visiting at sunset and it is just beautiful!!
4) Go samba dancing!! If you love music and dancing as much as me then make sure you find somewhere to enjoy this amazing Brazilian music and dance the night away :))
5) A) Go to Ipanema for the Sunday Hippie Market to pick up some traditional items to take home with you. On this day I would indulge in some traditional street food, and for dessert, an ACAI!
B) I would also suggest on this day visiting Ipanema and Copacabana’s beach and going for drinks in one of the beach-side restaurants or roof top hotel bars at sunset.
6) If you want a day on a beach for surfing or relaxing that isn’t as touristy as Copacobana or Ipanema, then go to Barra da Tijuca. The ocean is cleaner, the sea is bluer, the beaches are less busy and they have some cute little beach-side restaurants and beach clubs. (One I visited is listed below in the what to eat section…….and did delicious seafood.)
7) If you have time, visit the botanical gardens of Rio. They are very beautiful and if you are stuck for things to do, then why not try this!
8) If you are staying for longer, then definitely venture out of the city (approximately 4 hours), to Paraty. It is a traditional village south of Rio with beautiful beaches and cobbled streets, and is well worth the trip. Photo credit – Momondo and Peixe Urbano
Where and what to eat in Rio?:
Snack food: For me it wouldn’t be a full experience of the culture without trying some traditional Brazilian food and snacks. Some of the ones you must try are… all kinds of cheese balls (they love cheese), filled empanadas, fresh ACAI (in Brazil they come in a variety of flavors, from fresh passion fruit to exotic Brazilian fruits), tapioca pancakes for breakfast, something from their cassava vegetable (cassava chips, flour and more), Caldeirada- a Portuguese fish stew, pastel de natas (Portuguese custard tarts), Paçoca peanut snacks and much more!
A few restaurants to try:
- Aprazivel – a rustic hillside restaurant with a great view – Santa Teresa – http://www.aprazivel.com.br/
- The Terrace restaurant in the Sofitel – Santa Teresa – https://www.santateresahotelrio.com/restaurants-in-rio-de-janeiro/
- Fogo de Chao – a delicious all you can eat meat feast/Churrascaria – near Copacabana and Barra da Tijica – https://fogodechao.com/location/rio-de-janeiro/
- Satyricon – a luxury seafood restaurant in Ipanema – http://www.satyricon.com.br/en/
- A shabby chic/casual but delicious Brazilian BBQ
- Visit the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches for a dusk or sunset drinks with a view
When is the best time to go to Rio?:
The best months to visit are December – March as these are the hottest (up to 45 degrees) and driest months of the year (it being their summer). February is a great time to go as they have their carnival which is great fun! November and April can also be okay (around 25 degrees) but you could risk some rain and overcast days.
Those are some of my best recommendations of what to do/eat, where to stay and when to go to Rio. If you go to Rio and use any of my suggestions and enjoy them, please let me know 🙂
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